The tremendously courageous anti-apartheid South African activist Steve Biko died on September 12, 1977. Having been arrested in late August for defying an order restricting his movements within the country, he was tortured and beaten for several days by police and left to die in his cell. He was only 30 years old.
His death caused global outrage and helped to galvanize opposition to the apartheid regime both in South Africa and internationally.
"It is better to die for an idea that will live, than to live for an idea that will die." - Steve Biko
"Steve started something that is quite unstoppable. The powers of injustice, of oppression, of exploitation have done their worst and they have lost." - Desmond Tutu speaking at his funeral.